Tethered pins pinsetter

ABSTRACT

A Pinsetter for bowling alleys in which the pins are connected to the pinsetting mechanism by overhead lines, the lines having idle loops to permit the pins substantial range of movement upon being struck. A ball return mechanism coacts with the pinsetter to provide automatic actuation of the pinsetting mechanism under the correct predetermined conditions.

Matted States Patent [191 Butteriield [451 Aug. 13, 1974 TETHERED PINS PINSETTER [76] Inventor: Louis M. Butterfield, Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, NH. 03885 [22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 414,388

[52] US. Cl. 273/44, 273/49 [51] Int. Cl A63d 3/00 [58] Field of Search ..-273/44, 47, 49

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,494,285 5/1924 Regnier 273/44 2,181,984 12/1939 Warner.... 273/44 UX 2,326,554

8/1943 Nall 273/44 3,480,279 1 1/1969 Ingebo 273/44 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 46,211 3/1966 Germany 273/44 Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas N. Tarrant [5 7] ABSTRACT A Pinsetter for bowling alleys in which the pins are connected to the pinsetting mechanism by overhead lines, the lines having idle loops to permit the pins substantial range of movement upon being struck. A ball return mechanism coacts with the pinsetter to provide automatic actuation of the pinsetting mechanism under the correct predetermined conditions.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures IIIIIIIIIIIIIA PATENIED AUG] 3 I974 SHEET 1 OF 5 PAIENTED Am; 1 31274 sum 2 or 5 PATENTEU AUG 1 31974 SHEET '4 BF 5 PATENIED M1131 SHEU 5 [If 5 Tina. Q.

TETIIERED PINS PINSETTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to bowling pinsetters and particularly to those in which the mechanism relies on lines attached to the heads of the bowling pins.

2. Description of the Prior Art Over the past forty years most commercial bowling alleys have exchanged pin boys for automatic pinsetters. The best pinsetters not only allow the pins complete freedom of movement (no strings) but may be actuated to clear deadwood from the alley and will then reset the partial number of pins in the positions from which they were removed even when such positions are not the original set position. These commercial pinsetters, however, are far too costly for use in most clubs, young peoples associations and homes.

To fill the need of economical pinsetters, several designs have been suggested in which the pins are attached to an overhead mechanism by lines. In some of these a continuous tension is applied to the pin which is held in position by a magnet. Upon being dislodged by a bowling ball, the pin is drawn upward by the attached line. The continuous tension, however, hampers the free movement of the pin, reducing its interaction with the other pins. Economical pinsetters are also usually activated by a manual switch. Completely automatic systems must distinguish strike conditions from nonstrike conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Now, in accordance with the present invention an economical fully automatic pinsetter is provided using lines connected to the pins. Idle loops in the lines permitsubstantially free pin movement before the mechanism recovers the pin. Upon a predetermined length of line being drawn from an idle loop, a solenoid is activated releasing a drop bar raising the respective pin. A strike or the return of the correct number of balls actuates the reset mechanism raising all the drop bars, simultaneously lowering positioning sleeves with the pins as well as a ball stop gate, and finally raising the sleeves and stop gate. The entire pinsetting operation is driven by a rotating crank rotating in an eccentric track through 360 of rotation.

Thus an object of the invention is to provide a novel economical fully automatic pinsetter;

A further object of the invention is to provide a pinsetting mechanism that removes each pin as it is knocked over while at the same time allowing such pins freedom to upset other pins before being removed;

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a simple pinsetting mechanism in which individual gravity drop bars retract pins that are upset while a simple I rotational mechanism resets all the pins.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following disclosure along with the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 4 is a detail drawing depicting actuation of a drop bar by an upset pin.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a right side elevation of the switching apparatus actuated by return balls, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

. FIG. 7 is a left side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a detail drawing of the switch block of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic of the electrical circuit of the pinsetter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The pinsetter of the present invention gives each pin a degree of freedom upon being upset and then retracts it overhead automatically. To achieve this the top of each pin is secured to a line which runs vertically upward to a pulley. From this pulley the line passes around a biased roller, providing an idle loop, then to a second pulley and back down to a drop bar. Upsetting a pin actuates a solenoid, releasing the drop bar and raising the pin.

In FIG. 1, the end of bowling alley 10 is shown with ten bowling pins concealed under rectangular platform 11, part of pinsetting mechanism 12. Ten drop bars 14 are pivotally supported at their rear ends by support bar 15. The forward ends of drop bars 14 are engaged by solenoid latches 16. Lines 17 are secured to the forward ends of drop bars 14 and to the tops of the bowling pins. Lines 17 are guided by pulleys that have been omitted in FIG. 1 in order to better illustrate other details.

Lines 17 pass downwardly through guide holes 18 in triangular board 20.

Lifting frame 21 is hinged on rear cross support 22 and carries crossbar 24 under drop bars 14. Lifting frame 21 also carries crossbar 25 rearward of crossbar 24. Crossbar 25 is connected by lines 26 to sleeves 27. Lines 26 pass over pulleys not shown in FIG. 1 but detailed in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Lifting frame 21 is driven by motor 28 connected through a chain and sprockets to rotary shaft 30. Shaft 30 is operatively connected to frame 21 by crank 31 depicted in FIG. 2.

Facing pinsetter 12 from the bowling position, FIG. 1 depicts ball return mechanism 32 to the right. Ball returnmechanism 32 is of a conventional commercial type with chain driven conveyor 34 (see FIG. 2) for raising the balls to an appropriate height for return.

Conveyor 34 is driven by motor 35. Conveyor 34 has return opening 36 onto return chute 37.

Chute 37 has two actuating segments 38 and 40 connecting to switching mechanism 41. Connected to the right end of shaft 30 is arm 42. Lever 43 is positioned in the path of arm 42 and is connected by rod 44 to mechanism 41 for reset purposes.

F IGS.'2, 3 and 4 show portions of pinsetting mechanism 12 in greater detail. FIG. 2 shows bowling pin 45 set up, and bowling pin 46 fully retracted. Platform 11 has round apertures 47 through which the bowling pins and sleeves 27 may be raised and lowered. The lower portion of each aperture 47 is conical to facilitate entry of an upset pin. Upper opening 48 in each aperture 47 has a close fit to sleeve 27 for accurate guiding of the sleeve.

Sleeves 27 are cylinders open at both ends of a size to contain and constrain sideways motion of bowling pins. Bowling pin 46 is secured at its top by line 17b passing vertically upward through guidehole 18 in board 20. Line 17b may be metal cable or natural or synthetic fiber line. Linked chain has also been used. At least that portion of line 17b extending from pin 46 to about one foot above board is conductive in the depicted embodiment. This conductive portion of line 17b serves aswitching function which will be described below with specific reference to FIG. 4.

Line 17b continues above board 20 over pulley 51 and horizontally rearward to a second pulley, concealed behind and identical to pulley 52 over which it passes downward to where it is secured near the forward end of bar 14b. Roller 54 riding on top of line 17b and connected to pulley 51 is weighted to press downward maintaining tension on line 17b. With bar 1419 down as depicted, pin 46 is raised and no loop appears in line 17b.

Pin 45, set up for bowling, has line 17d passing upward through platform 11, sleeve 27d, board 20 and over pulley 56. The end of line 17d is connected near the forward end of drop bar 14d (FIG. 6) after passing over a pulley (not shown) that is the fourth pulley in line with pulley 52. Since drop bar 14d is in the raised position, there is slack in line 17d. An appropriate amount of slack in line 17d for giving adequate free movement of pin is 5 inches. Weighted roller 57 associated with pulley 56 takes up the slack by providing tensioned idle loop 58.

Drop bar 14a is held in a raised position by lip 60 on its forward end resting on solenoid latch 16a. Operation of the solenoid causes the latch to retract dropping the bar. In the dropped position depicted by drop bar 14b, the drop bars are supported by a cushioning crossmember 61. Crossmember 61 carries ten switches 62, each one of which is actuated by the fall of a respective one of drop bars 14.

Lifting frame 21 as depicted has main longitudinal member 63 of channel iron with its open side facing down. Further pieces of channel iron are connected in an approximate semicircle centered close to shaft 30 so as to form a roughly semicircular track 64. Crank arm 31 carrying roller 65 at the extreme end rides in track 64. It will be seen that as crank arm 31 rotates, lifting frame 21 must lift at its forward end raising all drop bars 14. The raised position of lifting frame 21 is depicted by dashed outline 66. As crank 31 completes 360 of revolution, it forcibly returns lifting frame 21 to its lower position.

Lines 26 connected between crossbar 25 and sleeves 27 lower the sleeves as lifting frame 21 raises and raises the sleeves when frame 21 returns to its lower rest position. Ten sleeves 27 are connected by ten lines 26 passing upward and over ten pulleys 67 and back down over ten further pulleys 68 to cross bar 25.

Pulleys 68 include two pulleys for operating stopgate 70 (FIG. 1) making twelve pulleys 68. Lines 71 and 72 connected at opposite ends of crossbar 25 pass upward over the end ones of pulleys 68 and forward to a position in front of pinsetting mechanism 12. At this front position, lines 71 and 72 pass downwardly over two pulleys (not shown) to'stopgate 70 which blocks balls during a pinresetting cycle- All of the above described pulleys are secured to overhead crossbars (not shown) of the pinsetting mechanism frameward by metal straps in conventional manner.

FIG. 3 depicts pin 45 during a pinresetting cycle with sleeve 27d in the lowered position. Platform 11 is made of a sandwich construction in which the upper layer 74 containing openings 48 is preferably at least 1 inch thick. This enables openings 48 to restrict sleeves 27 from tilting as they pass downward. It is to be understood that, in the depicted embodiment, the weight of the sleeves is sufficient to forcibly restore pins to their proper positions when they have been slightly displaced but not upset or retracted.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the electrical devices for instituting retraction of the bowling pins. Pin 45 used again as exemplary is shown in a tilted position. Conical surface 75 of platform 11 at aperture 47 is electrically conductive. Insert 77 of oxidation-resistant sheet metal will provide the necessary conductive surface. Electrical lead 78 connected to insert 77 at one end, is connected to switch terminal 80 (FIG. 5) at the other end. Also connected to terminal 80 is lead 81 going to terminal 82 of solenoid latch 16d. Second terminal 84 of solenoid latch 16a is connected in common with the rest of solenoid latches 16 to line 85 from electrical source 86.

Line 87 from the other side of source 86 is connected .to switch terminal 88. Electrical brush 90 depicted as a loop of spring wire is also connected to terminal 88. Brush 90 maintains electrical contact with line 55 as it moves up and down. Line 55, conductive surface 77 and brush 90 thus form switch 91 (FIG. 9) providing electrical connection to solenoid latch 16d when pin 45 tilts as shown.

Switch terminals 80 and 88 are also connected to contact plates 94 and 95 respectively of further switch 96 (FIG. 9). Plates 94 and 95 mounted on block 97 secured to board 20 are raised above the contact portion of brush 90 by spacers (not shown). Plates 94 and 95 extend from opposite sides to the proximity of guidehold 18d in block 97.

Annular conductive disk 100 suspended around line 17d spans contact plates 94 and 95 so as to make electrical contact between them when line 17d descends.

The position of disk 100 on line 17d and the size of idle loop 58 are fixed so that when pin 45 is upset, disk 100 makes electrical contact closing switch 96 before pin 45 reaches horizontal and while there is still slack in idle loop 58.

As depicted in FIG. 4, one preferred form of drop bars 14 uses liquid ballast 101 for adjusting the weight of the drop bars.

While the supporting framework of pinsetter 12 has been neither illustrated or described in detail, it is suitably a simple rectangular framework about the pinsetter mechanism from which the various platforms, crossbars and other members are suspended.

The present pinsetter may be placed in a resetting cycle by manual operation of a switch, however complete automatic operation is provided by switching mechanism 41. Mechanism 41 is depicted in FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 8 with its electrical circuit shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 6, tilting segment 38 rockably mounted on shaft forms a segment of chute 37. The rear end of platform 38 normally rests on block 111 holding it in alignment with the rear portion of chute 37. The forward end of platform 38 carries crossmember 112 on its underside for operation of switch 1 14 mounted underneath and to the left side. (All positional relationships herein not otherwise specified are as viewed from a bowlers position irrespective of direction of view in which figures are drawn.) Switch 114 is a pushbutton switch which reverses between on and off with successive pushes.

Connected to the upper surface of crossmember 112 at the left are two lines 115 and 116. Lines 115 and 116 extend upwardly over two pulleys 117 mounted on upright 118. Line 115 connects to spring-loaded latch 120 of normally closed switch 121. Line 116 connects to spring-loaded latch 122 of normally open switch 124. Shaft 110 is forward of the balance point of segment 38 so that it returns to its normal rest position after being rocked by a ball.

Ahead of segment 38, chute 37 contains a hinged segment 40, hinged at its rear end. The forward end of segment 40 is normally held above the adjacent surface of chute 37 by virtue of spring 39 positioned underneath. Crossmember 125 supported from the under forward end of segment 40 extends to the left of the chute similar to crossmember 112. Line 126 connected to the left end of crossmember 125 passes upward over pulley 127 and rearward to upright 128. Upright 128 is hinged at its bottom end for rocking forward and back. Projection 130 from upright 128 is positioned to pass under crossmember 112 when upright 128 is back so as to prevent operation of switch 114.

Motor 131 is mounted to the left of chute 37 and immediately behind upright 118. Behind motor 131 is raised platform 132 carrying switches 121, 124 and a further switch 134. Latches 120, 122 and latch 135 for switch 134 are positioned on platform 132 forward of the switches. Motor 131 carries rotating disk 136 near the periphery of which is projecting pin 137. A reduction gear produces slow rotation of disk 136. Motor 131 is positioned horizontal and lateral to the alley with clockwise rotation when viewed from the left as in FIG. 7. Thus, when pin 137 is in the upper portion of its path it is moving forward.

Rod 140 is pivotally mounted above motor 131 by 1 pivot 141 from a bracket attached to platform 132. The bottom end of rod 140 extends down to engage pin 137 during the upper part of its path. Rod 142 is engaged to rod 140 by pivotal connection 144 between pivot 141 and the bottom of rod 140. Rod 142 extends rearwardly and has a crossmember connected to its rearmost end engaging both spring loaded latches 122 and 135 but secured only to latch 135 in such manner that while rod 142 will effect operation of both latches, latch 122 may be separately released by line 116. It will be seen from the drawing that, when pin 137 moves through its upper path, the bottom end of rod 140 will be pushed forward carrying rod 142 forward and releasing latches 122 and 135 so as to close switches 124 and 134.

The upper end of rod 140 is secured to line 145 connected to the top end of upright 128. Thus, it will also be seen in the drawing that, when pin 137 moves through its upper path, the top end of rod 140 will move rearward pulling upright 128 rearward so as to interpose projection 130 under crossmember 112.

The operation of the invention is best understood with reference to electrical schematic FIG. 9. Switch 150 is a main power switch to energize the system. With switch 150 on, motor 35 operates continuously returning any balls that reach the end of the alley. Motor 28 is connected between supply lines and 87 by series switch 134 normally open. Parallel to switch 134 are switches 114 and 124 in series. Switch 114 is normally closed and switch 124 is normally open. Thus, motor 28 is normally off.

Motor 131 is connected between lines 85 and 87 by ten switches 62 and normally closed switch 121. Switches 62 are switches closed by dropping of drop bars 14. They may also be mercury switches mounted on drop bars 14. Since switches 62 must all close to have any effect, they may be replaced by an electric eye in the line of raised bars 14. Only when all bars 14 have dropped is the optical path opened to effect switching.

When a pin is upset, one or a pair of switches 151 will close actuating a corresponding solenoid latch 16 dropping a respective drop bar 14 and raising the upset pin.

In the event of a strike, all of switches 62 are closed by falling of all drop bars 14. Switch 121 being normally closed, motor 131 starts rotating disk 136. (see FIG. 7) When pin 137 reaches its upper path of travel it pushes the bottom end of rod 140 forward pulling rod 142 and switching switches 124 and 134 ON. This starts motor 28. At the same time rod 140 has pulled upright 128 rearward blocking operation of switch 114 so that it must stay ON. Motor 28 raises drop bars'l4 opening switches 62 and thus stopping motor 131. Timing is arranged so that pin 137 has passed the end of rod 140 on its downward path when motor 131 stops. Upright 128 through balance and friction remains in its rearward position.

Upon return of the ball thrown for the strike, rocking of platform 38 has no effect since switch 114 is blocked. If it should happen to release and open switch 121 it will have no effect. The ball will then push hinged segment 40 down pulling upright 128 forward by line 126 thus freeing switch 114. Upon completion of the pin resetting cycle, arm 42 strikes lever 43 pulling bar 44 rearward. Bar 44 is connected to a pivoted spring-loaded arm 152 under the drop elements of switches 121, 124 and 134. When bar 44 moves rearward it rocks arm 152 upward restoring switches 121, 124 and 134 to their normal latched conditions.

Spring-loaded returns on solenoid latches 16 ensure that drop bars 14 are relatched upon being raised.

Assuming that next the first ball does not produce a strike, then the following sequence occurs: The return of the first ball rocks platform 38 turning switch 114 OFF, turning switch 121 OFF by line releasing latch and turning switch 124 ON by line 116 releasing latch 122. The second ball, even if it upsets the remaining pins, cannot actuate motor 131 since switch 121 is open. When the second ball is returned, platform 38 rocks operating switch 114 back to the ON position starting motor 28 and the pin reset cycle. The end of the cycle restores switches 121 and 124 as before. Hinged segment 40 is only active on a strike ball and platform 38 is only active for nonstrikes.

While the invention has been described with relation to a specific embodiment for tenpin bowling, it is readily adaptable for candlepins or 'duckpins with three balls instead of two. The various mechanical switches described can be replaced with solid state and/or electro-optical switching devices. The use of relays and an electrical reset stepping relay would readily enable low voltage and low current operation of most switching without departing from the invention. Thus, it is intended to cover the invention within the complete scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Pinsetting apparatus for a bowling alley comprismg:

a. Ten bowling pins secured by lines to ten drop bars;

b. Ten solenoid-latches for releasably securing said drop bars in a raised position in which said lines are longer than the paths between said drop bars and said pins;

0. Ten biased idle rollers positioned in the path between said drop bars and said pins for creating idle loops maintaining tension on said lines;

d. At least ten switches actuated by upsetting of respective pins and connected to respective ones of said solenoid latches for releasing said drop bars;

e. An electrically driven rotating crank arm coacting with an eccentric semicircular channel on a lifting frame for raising said drop bars and resetting upset pins; and,

f. Automatic ball return means for returning balls thrown at said ten bowling pins.

2. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising ten cylindrical sleeves positioned above respective ones of said pins and a ball stopgate all connected by lines to said lifting frame such that when said lifting frame raises said drop bars it simultaneously lowers said sleeves and said ball stopgate.

3. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim ll wherein said lines each pass vertically upward from a respective pin to a respective first pulley, then substantially horizontally over said first pulley to a respective second pulley and thence downwardly to a respective drop bar.

4. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said biased idle rollers are connected each to a respective first pulley to form idle loops between first and sec- 0nd pulleys.

5. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrically driven crank arm is driven by an electric motor and further comprises switching means for stopping said motor at the end of a 360 rotation of said arm.

6. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ten switches each comprise means to switch in response to a predetermined movement of a respective one of said lines reducing a respective idle loop.

7. A fully automatic pinsetter for bowling alleys comprising:

a. A set of bowling pins secured by lines passing over overhead pulleys to the ends of weighted drop bars;

b. Means to release said drop bars upon respective ones of said pins being upset.

c. First means operated by dropping of all said bars to actuate a pin reset cycle;

(1. Automatic ball return means;

e. Second switch means operated by ball return to actuate a pin reset cycle on return of the last ball bowled in a frame; and

f. Means to block the effect of return of a strike ball on said second switch means.

8. A fully automatic pinsetter according to claim 7 further comprising means actuated by return of a strike ball to deactivate said means to block.

9. A fully automatic pinsetter according to claim 7 wherein said ball return means comprises a return chute and said second switch means is operated responsive to balls passing over a first segment of said chute and said means to block is cancelled by a ball passing over a second segment of said chute.

10. A fully automatic pinsetter according to claim 9 wherein said means to block is a mechanical obstruction preventing response of said second switch means to balls passing over said first segment. 

1. Pinsetting apparatus for a bowling alley comprising: a. Ten bowling pins secured by lines to ten drop bars; b. Ten solenoid-latches for releasably securing said drop bars in a raised position in which said lines are longer than the paths between said drop bars and said pins; c. Ten biased idle rollers positioned in the path between said drop bars and said pins for creating idle loops maintaining tension on said lines; d. At least ten switches actuated by upsetting of respective pins and connected to respective ones of said solenoid latches for releasing said drop bars; e. An electrically driven rotating crank arm coacting with an eccentric semicircular channel on a lifting frame for raising said drop bars and resetting upset pins; and, f. Automatic ball return means for returning balls thrown at said ten bowling pins.
 2. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising ten cylindrical sleeves positioned above respective ones of said pins and a ball stopgate all connected by lines to said lifting frame such that when said lifting frame raises said drop bars it simultaneously lowers said sleeves and said ball stopgate.
 3. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lines each pass vertically upward from a respective pin to a respective first pulley, then substantially horizontally over said first pulley to a respective second pulley and thence downwardly to a respective drop bar.
 4. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said biased idle rollers are connected each to a respective first pulley to form idle loops between first and second pulleys.
 5. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrically driven crank arm is driven by an electric motor and further comprises switching means for stopping said motor at the end of a 360* rotation of said arm.
 6. Pinsetting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ten switches each comprise means to switch in response to a predetermined movement of a respective one of said lines reducing a respective idle loop.
 7. A fully automatic pinsetter for bowling alleys comprising: a. A set of bowling pins secured by lines passing over overhead pulleys to the ends of weighted drop bars; b. Means to release said drop bars upon respective ones of said pins being upset. c. First means operated by dropping of all said bars to actuate a pin reset cycle; d. Automatic ball return means; e. Second switch means operated by ball return to actuate a pin reset cycle on return of the last ball bowled in a frame; and f. Means to block the effect of return of a strike ball on said second switch means.
 8. A fully automatic pinsetter according to claim 7 further comprising means actuated by return of a strike balL to deactivate said means to block.
 9. A fully automatic pinsetter according to claim 7 wherein said ball return means comprises a return chute and said second switch means is operated responsive to balls passing over a first segment of said chute and said means to block is cancelled by a ball passing over a second segment of said chute.
 10. A fully automatic pinsetter according to claim 9 wherein said means to block is a mechanical obstruction preventing response of said second switch means to balls passing over said first segment. 